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FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. -- State officials are advising residents throughout Fairfield County and all of Connecticut of a scam that involves a fake letter claiming to be from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and bearing a replica of his signature.

The fake letter says residents are eligible for $5 million and a Mercedes-Benz in return for a cash payment to cover state taxes.

“This letter is not from any office within the state of Connecticut, particularly that of the governor,” Consumer Protection Commissioner William Rubenstein said in a statement. “Rather, it’s a common example of a scam letter, replete with certain clues that easily give it away as such.

"We urge anyone receiving this communication to ignore it, and certainly do not send money as requested. Loud alarm bells should go off anytime you are told you won a contest that you did not enter, or that you are required to pay money before receiving a prize. Those are telltale signs of a scam."

The fake letter was transmitted via “faxZero,” a free facsimile transmittal service, but could also have been sent to residents via email and U.S. mail, Rubenstein said.

Use of a free delivery service to communicate important information such as prize winnings may be a sign that the sender is not legitimate, he said.

“Becoming familiar with the signs of a scam are important in protecting yourself from fraud, and our
SmartConsumer.ct.gov
website offers more information under “Scam Signals” to arm yourself with,” Rubenstein said in a statement. “In the case of this particular letter, do not respond with a payment, or you will certainly lose your money.”